UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS)

A ground-breaking step has been taken in the UK's journey towards net zero carbon buildings with the launch of the pilot version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard - UKNZCBS (“the Standard”) in September 2024.

Developed through collaboration between CIBSE and eight leading organisations—BBP, BRE, the Carbon Trust, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS, and UKGBC—this free-to-access technical standard offers a clear and consistent methodology for defining and achieving net zero carbon in the built environment.

Until now, the lack of a unified approach has led to confusion and inconsistency around the definition of 'net zero carbon' in buildings, leaving room for misleading claims. The Standard provides robust, transparent guidelines that will help industry professionals—whether they are funding, procuring, designing, or specifying buildings—prove that their assets align with the UK’s carbon and energy budgets.

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is an essential resource for anyone striving to create or verify net zero carbon buildings in alignment with the UK Net Zero Strategy. This comprehensive framework provides mandatory performance and construction quality requirements to support sustainability in construction and guide the industry on how to achieve net zero carbon buildings in the UK. Covering critical areas like upfront carbon, operational carbon reduction, operational energy efficiency and performance for sustainable buildings, and low carbon architecture, the Standard ensures alignment with the UK Building Standards and UK carbon reduction targets.

With ambitious but achievable requirements, the Standard supports low carbon building standards in the UK by promoting sustainable building practices, zero emissions buildings, and energy-efficient buildings. Its detailed guidelines, including provisions for green construction standards, carbon-neutral construction, and net zero carbon retrofit, pave the way for climate-resilient architecture and decarbonising the built environment.

By leveraging this framework, industry professionals can confidently engage in sustainable building design, reduce the carbon footprint in construction, and contribute to the delivery of net zero energy buildings. This vital tool underpins the UK's broader transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral future for the built environment.

''What is really important in the Standard is the top down, bottom-up approach to be net zero aligned, but also that the Standard is achieved based on actual performance. I think this is revolutionary!''

Julie Godefroy, Head of Net Zero Policy at CIBSE

Developed with input from over 350 experts from across the industry, the Standard reflects the views of more than 700 stakeholders through public consultations and roundtable discussions across the country. It serves as a powerful tool for policymakers and industry leaders, providing clarity on the actions required to support the UK’s carbon reduction goals.

The pilot version details the specific technical requirements for buildings, including performance targets, limits, and the evidence needed for verification. The full verification process will be outlined in a separate publication. The built environment industry is encouraged to use this pilot version to begin preparing for the verification process and ensuring alignment with the Standard.

For more information and to download the Standard for free, visit the official UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard website at www.nzcbuildings.co.uk